The master's program offers advanced study in political science for students interested in later pursuing Ph.D. studies, entering government service, or other careers. 

The Ph.D. program provides opportunities for the development of research and teaching skills necessary for careers in education or public service. 

To be accepted into the program students are evaluated on several criteria. 

For the Ph.D.: 
 

1. Performance on GRE aptitude test (normally 1700 for the 3 combined aptitude scores). 
2. Undergraduate grade-point averages (normally a 3.0 overall and 3.25 in major field and a 3.5 in any prior graduate work in political science). 
3. Three letters of recommendation. 
4. For international students, a TOEFL score (normally at least 600). 

For the M.A.: 
 

1. Performance on GRE aptitude test (normally 1500-1600 for the 3 combined aptitude scores). 
2. Undergraduate grade-point averages (normally a 3.0 overall and 3.2 in major field). 
3. Three letters of recommendation. 
4. For international students, a TOEFL score (normally at least 600). 

Utilizing all of these variables, the department attempts to predict the candidate's success (e.g., low GRE scores could be balanced by high grades and very strong recommendations). Applicants are encouraged to submit examples of written work. 

In addition, admission to the graduate program is affected by the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission. 

The program of study is divided into six fields: political theory, public policy and administration, comparative government, international relations, law and courts, and American government. Students may complete the M.A. degree through either a 1-year or 2-year program, and may complete the Ph.D. in four to five years. The relatively small size of both the M.A. and Ph.D. programs insures individualization of students' degree plans and encourages faculty-student cooperation in areas of special interest. Financial aid is available. Applicants are also eligible to compete for university-wide fellowships. 

The M.A. in Political Science program requirements are the following: 30 credits of course work includng POSC 800 Seminar: Philosophy of Political Inquiry; POSC 801 Research Design; seminars in three of the six fields offered by the department; and a comprehensive examination in one field. A research requirement may be met through an M.A. thesis (6 credit hours) or a major seminar research paper. 

The M.A. in International Relations requires 30 credits of course work including POSC 800 Seminar: Philosophy of Political Inquiry, POSC 830 Seminar: International Relations, POSC 810 Seminar: Comparative Politics, POSC 840 International Political Economy, and one seminar selected from POSC 803 Public Administration, POSC 808 American Political Institutions, POSC 833 Normative Political Theory, POSC 838 Public Policy Analysis, or POSC 805 Seminar: Public Law, a comprehensive examination in international relations, and competency in one language in addition to English. A thesis (6 credits) is also required. 

The Ph.D. program requires POSC 800 Seminar: Philosophy of Political Inquiry, POSC 801 Research Design, knowledge of one foreign language, competence in social science statistics, 60 credit hours (or an M.A. plus thirty additional credits), comprehensive examinations in three fields, and a Ph.D. dissertation.